In a shocking turn of events, a NEET UG candidate from Nagpur was allotted an exam centre in Abu Dhabi due to a significant glitch in the National Testing Agency (NTA) system. The error occurred just hours before the scheduled re-test, leaving the student and his family in a state of panic.
Details of the Incident
The candidate, identified as Rohan Sharma, had applied for the NEET UG re-test and was expecting a centre in or near Nagpur. However, upon checking his admit card, he discovered that the venue was listed as Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The NTA had mistakenly assigned him an international centre, which is typically reserved for overseas candidates.
Rohan's father, Ashok Sharma, expressed his dismay, stating, "We were shocked to see the centre in Abu Dhabi. My son has never even been abroad, and we cannot afford such travel at short notice. This is a serious lapse on the part of the NTA."
NTA's Response
The NTA has acknowledged the glitch and assured that corrective measures are being taken. An official spokesperson said, "We are aware of the issue and are working to rectify it. The candidate will be assigned a new centre in India as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience caused."
However, the incident has raised questions about the efficiency and reliability of the NTA's examination management system. Many students have taken to social media to share similar experiences, highlighting a pattern of errors that could undermine the credibility of the entrance exam process.
Impact on Students
The glitch has caused immense stress for Rohan and his family, who are now scrambling to get the issue resolved. With the re-test just hours away, the candidate's preparation has been disrupted. This is not an isolated case; several other candidates have reported discrepancies in their exam centre allocations, including wrong cities and incorrect dates.
Education experts have called for a thorough investigation into the NTA's systems. "Such errors can ruin a student's career. The NTA must ensure that its technology is foolproof and that candidates are not subjected to such trauma," said Dr. Meera Joshi, an education analyst.
Steps for Affected Candidates
- Immediately contact the NTA helpline or email the support team with details of the error.
- Keep a copy of the admit card showing the wrong centre as evidence.
- Follow up regularly until the issue is resolved and a new centre is assigned.
- Stay calm and focus on preparation despite the disruption.
The NTA has promised to address all complaints promptly. Meanwhile, Rohan and his family await a revised admit card with a centre closer to home. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that can arise in high-stakes examinations when technology fails.
